Is There Life in Outer Space? - Softcover

Branley, Franklyn M.

Softcover

ISBN 10: 006445049X ISBN 13: 9780064450492

Publisher: HarperColl, 1986

Synopsis

Are there furry creatures on the moon? Or Martians who ride spaceships to Earth? Today we know Martians don't exist, but we also know that plants and animals may live far beyond our solar system. Franklyn M. Branley's fascinating text and Edward Miller's zany illustrations tap into kids' curiosity to give a dazzling tour of life out among the stars. Updated with new photos of Mars and a "Find Out More" page full of hands-on activities.

‘This is a lighthearted yet serious introduction to the concept of life on other planets. It stretches the imagination by asking questions about life off Earth and then attempts to answer them. Whimsically illustrated descriptions of old theories give a light touch to some pretty odd ideas. . . . In stark contrast to these colorful drawings are the black-and-white photographs of astronauts and the surfaces of the moon and Mars showing the absolute lack of life so far uncovered.’ —SLJ.

A Reading Rainbow Selection

About this title

About the Author:

Franklyn M. Branley is one of the co-founders of the Let's-Read-and-Find-Out Science series and the author of close to 150 popular books about scientific topics for young readers of all ages. He is Astronomer Emeritus and former Chairman of the American Museum-Hayden Planetarium.

Dr. Branley lives in Sag Harbor, New York.

From Kirkus Reviews:

PLB 0-06-028145-6 paper 0-06-445192-5 Is There Life In Outer Space? (40pp.; $15.95; PLB $15.89; paper $4.95; Sept.; 0-06-028146-4; PLB 0-06-028145-6; paper 0-06-445192-5): Colorful, fanciful, outlandish artwork from Miller are the attention-getters here, for Branley's 1984 text makes no claims on space exploration in the 90s. Branley begins his examination of the search for extraterrestrials with two examples of fabrication: the wishful sightings of Moon folk, and Orson Welles's ``War of the Worlds'' hoax. Welles admitted to his big joke, and both manned and unmanned space probes have set the records straight on the moon and planetary life. The author must foster the possibility that distant galaxies, outside our ken but not our lively imagination, may support life: ``Who knows?'' The recent spate of books on the universe and other aspects of the vast Out There only make this onedespite Miller's zany computer- generated scenes and full-color photographsseem feeble. (Picture book. 3-6) -- Copyright ©1999, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.

About this edition

• Publisher: HarperColl
• Publication date: 1986
• ISBN 10: 006445049X
• ISBN 13: 9780064450492
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 32
• Illustrator: Miller Edward